The crash is perfect, Italy falls from Europe’s football throne straight into insignificance: The Squadra Azzurra failed in the World Cup playoffs both historically and embarrassingly and will not take part in the finals in Qatar (November 21st to December 18th).
The European champions lost 0-1 (0-0) to North Macedonia on Thursday, making Italy missing two consecutive World Cups for the first time.
North Macedonia, on the other hand, hopes for their first World Cup ticket a year after their debut at the European Championship. On Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / DAZN) Portugal will be waiting in the final round, which won 3-1 (2-0) against Turkey and national coach Stefan Kuntz.
For Austria, Cardiff was the last stop in the fight for the World Cup ticket. In Wales, the team of the already criticized German coach Franco Foda lost 1: 2 (0: 1). Sweden also beat the Czech Republic 1-0 (0-0) after extra time.
Italy was clearly superior to the soccer dwarf in Palermo for a long time, but found it increasingly difficult to create chances. When everything pointed to extra time, Aleksandar Trajkovski (90+2) scored in injury time for the guests. It was a debacle for Italy just 256 days after the European Championship final in London. Even before the 2018 finals in Russia, they had failed in the playoffs. “It’s hard to explain, it’s such a big disappointment,” said defender Giorgio Chiellini.
For Kuntz and Turkey, Portugal around superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was a size too big. Otavio (15th), Diogo Jota (42nd) and Matheus Nunes (90th + 4) scored for the hosts. For Germany’s former U21 coach Kuntz, it was the first defeat with the Turks in the fifth game, whose dream of participating in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 was shattered. Old star Burak Yilmaz (65th) shortened – but then missed a penalty kick in the 85th minute.
Austria fails at Gareth Bale
Austria failed mainly because of Gareth Bale: The exceptional Welsh player, only second choice at Real Madrid, scored twice (25th/51st). Especially the direct free kick in the angle to the lead was worth seeing. Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer (64th) only managed to connect.
Austria last played a World Cup 24 years ago and must continue to be patient, while Wales can hope for only their second participation after 1958: In the summer there should be a decisive game against Ukraine or Scotland, this semi-final was postponed due to the Russian war of aggression and should take place in take place in June.
The Russian team was excluded, so the real opponent Poland around Bayern’s star striker Robert Lewandowski is already in the final round. There it is now next Tuesday against Sweden. Ex-Mainzer Robin Quaison met in extra time (110th) on submission of former Dortmund player Alexander Isak.